Manchester City announce permanent exit for £20 million centre-back to Premier League newcomers | OneFootball

Premier League champions Manchester City have formally announced the sale of Taylor Harwood-Bellis to Southampton this week.

The agreement that brings an end to Harwood-Bellis’ association with Manchester City comes after a hugely successful campaign in the Championship in which the 22-year-old contributed heavily to Russell Martin’s side winning Premier League promotion via the play-offs.

Racking up a hugely commendable 40 appearances across the Championship season, whilst scoring two goals in the process, Southampton ultimately defeated Leeds United in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium.

In a staggering personal achievement for Taylor Harwood-Bellis, promotion with Southampton meant the defender was part of successive Premier League promotion-winning defences after a 101-point season with Burnley in 2022/23.

As opposed to Vincent Kompany and the Clarets however, Southampton have not wasted any time in ensuring that the player will be a part of their Premier League defence for the upcoming season, with news announced by all parties this week.

As per official confirmation from Manchester City on Monday afternoon, Taylor Harwood-Bellis has formally signed for Premier League newcomers Southampton on a permanent agreement.

Additional information from the BBC’s Mike Minay has revealed the England youth international has joined the south coast club for £20 million, as part of the initial 12-month loan agreement which included an obligation to buy upon winning Premier League promotion.

Crucially for Manchester City, it is understood that the Etihad Stadium club have included both a buy-back and sell-on clause in the deal that takes the 22-year-old to the Hampshire club.

At present, it remains unknown as to how much Manchester City’s buy-back clause is worth in the completed agreement.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis came through Manchester City’s academy system, making eight senior appearances under Pep Guardiola, including a debut in against Preston North End in a Carabao Cup third round victory in September 2019.

During his time representing Manchester City’s first-team squad, Harwood-Bellis also managed to score his first goal for the club, striking from close range in a 4-1 FA Cup third round win over Port Vale at the Etihad Stadium in January 2020.

Speaking upon joining Southampton, Taylor Harwood-Bellis told his new club’s official website, “It’s no secret how much I enjoyed being here last season, so I’m delighted to officially become a Southampton player ahead of the new season.”

He continued, “The feeling of bringing this club back to the Premier League and playing in front of these fans week-in and week-out has been amazing. I’ve learnt a great deal over the past two years and developed so much as a player and as a person.

“To have the opportunity now to represent this club in the Premier League is really special and I can’t wait to get going and to see all the lads again.”

We wish Taylor Harwood-Bellis all the very best in his professional career away from Manchester City, and thank him for his contributions to the club!